misuse

[mis-yoos, mis-yooz]

noun

1. wrong or improper use; misapplication.

   Synonyms: misappropriation, misemployment

2. Obsolete.,  bad or abusive treatment.

verb (used with object)

misused, misusing 

1. to use wrongly or improperly; misapply.

2. to treat badly or abusively; maltreat.

misuse

noun

1. erroneous, improper, or unorthodox use

   misuse of words

2. cruel or inhumane treatment

verb

1. to use wrongly

2. to treat badly or harshly

3. to use (something, esp alcohol, drugs, etc) improperly

Word History and Origins

Origin of misuse¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; mis- ¹, use

Example Sentences

Unified, accusing the district of violating Proposition 28 by misusing state arts funding and failing to provide legally required arts instruction to students.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Unified, accusing the district of violating Proposition 28 by misusing state arts funding and denying legally required arts instruction to students.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Reform has criticised the process, with deputy leader Richard Tice branding it a "systemic misuse of taxpayers' money" in a letter to Bailey in June.

Read more on BBC

In recent weeks, U.S. diplomats have raised concerns with Kenyan authorities that Ruto is misusing the courts to crush his critics, according to an American official.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Bigelow making a movie in which most of the story takes place in rooms full of people talking would seem like a misuse of the talents of one of our great action directors.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• corruption 
• exploitation 
• harm 
• maltreatment 
• mistreatment www.thesaurus.com
• prostitution 
• squandering www.thesaurus.com
• waste